Frank Lampard became Chelsea’s second all-time goalscorer after netting his 194th goal against Stoke (Picture: AP)

Frank Lampard admits he is concerned about a potential drop in standards at Chelsea.

Following a tumultuous season which saw Roberto Di Matteo sacked, Chelsea sit third in the Premier League, some 14 points behind leaders Manchester United.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday night’s league clash with strugglers Southampton at Stamford Bridge, Lampard said: ‘I hate the idea of standards dropping. We have been up there a long time trying to win the league… a bad year was coming second.

‘The minute you drop your standards too far below then you will settle for that and there is a desire and a determination among the players and the staff, to keep where we want to be.’

The Blues are reigning European champions and also won the FA Cup last season for the fourth time in six seasons, but have already been knocked out of the Champions League and face a 2-0 deficit going into the second leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final with Swansea.